Early Childhood Education Minister Anne Aly will travel to Amman this week to join an international conference being hosted by Egypt, Jordan and the United Nations.
Human rights groups have condemned the loss of Palestinian life following a rescue mission which freed four Israeli hostages captured by Hamas militants during the October 7 attack.
Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry says more than 270 people were killed and almost 700 wounded after the Israeli military operation.
Egyptian-born minister Anne Aly will represent Australia at the crisis talks on Gaza. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said Dr Aly would bring her professional expertise and knowledge through her experience as an Egyptian-born Australian to represent the nation.
"The human suffering in Gaza is unacceptable," she said on Monday.
"Australia has been part of the international push for a ceasefire, for humanitarian aid to reach Gazans in desperate need, and for hostages to be released.
"Australia's participation in this conference is part of that international effort."
Dr Aly said the humanitarian situation in Gaza was "catastrophic".
"Our participation in this conference will emphasise Australia's ongoing support for diplomatic efforts to end the conflict and to address the humanitarian crisis," she said.
Oxfam's Middle East regional director Sally Abi Khalil said she welcomed the return of the hostages to their families after eight months in captivity.
"However, the horrifying massacring by Israel of at least 274 displaced and starving Palestinians during the operation to release the hostages was an unacceptable and unconscionable price to pay," she said.
"This apparently indiscriminate killing may amount to a war crime and must also be investigated."
Oxfam response to Israel's operation in Nuseirat over the weekend:— Oxfam Australia (@OxfamAustralia) https://t.co/MeTYgqe1r0June 9, 2024
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said he wasn't in a position to comment on whether the rescue of the hostages was a massacre after reports of Palestinian deaths.
"It's fair to say that as a conflict has gone on, and we've been horrified by the images that we've been seeing, and that's why we've been steadfast in calling for a humanitarian ceasefire," he told ABC's RN.
The federal government has committed $62.5 million in humanitarian assistance to the region since the Hamas-Israel war began on October 7.
More than 37,000 people in Gaza have been killed since Israel declared war on Hamas in retaliation for the militants' October 7 attack.
Hamas killed 1200 Israelis and took more than 200 hostages in the assault.
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